Like anything in life, it’s best to be educated before making huge decisions. And when it comes to investing in foreign securities, especially.
if you’re new to the world of finance or investment, this is very important. You wouldn’t want your entire portfolio wiped out because you don’t understand what you’re doing.
So before you invest in international shares, here are some things that you might need to know first:
1. How will exchange rates affect my investments?
One of the barriers for people looking to invest outside their country of residence is exchange rates. Still, they can significantly impact how much profit or loss an investor makes in their share portfolio.
For example, if the Australian dollar falls against the British pound, an investor would need to exchange more Australian dollars to buy the equivalent of one British pound.
This means that before you invest in foreign securities, it’s best to find out what currency your share trades in and also keep up-to-date with the different exchange rates for those currencies.
2. How much will I pay in fees?
You must consider the many hidden costs involved when investing. The management fee is just one thing you have to consider when choosing whether or not to invest in certain companies.
A few things potential investors should look at include where the funds are domiciled, what type of investment they’re making, how often do they charge fees, and who manages the fund
3. What are the political and economic risks?
Before investing in foreign securities, you need to be aware of the political and economic risks involved. For example, a change in government could mean that your investment becomes subject to new regulations or taxes, which could lower its value.
Similarly, an unstable economy could mean that the company you’ve invested in goes bankrupt, making you lose all your money.
It’s essential to research the country or region where the company is based and understand what risks you might take.
4. How will I get my money out?
You must also consider how you’ll get your money out if things go wrong before investing in foreign securities. Make sure you will sell your shares and get your cash out in the same currency.
Or will you have to exchange your shares for another currency first, which could lead to losses from the exchange rate? These are essential things to consider, especially if you’re looking to invest a large sum of money.
5. What are the tax implications?
Each country has unique tax laws, so it’s essential to understand how investing in foreign securities may impact your tax bill. For example, you may need to pay capital gains tax on your profits from selling shares.
You might also be taxed on dividends and other income earned from foreign investments. So make sure you’re aware of the tax implications before making any investment decisions.
6. What are the risks?
Finally, it’s essential to understand that risk is always involved when investing in anything, and foreign securities are no exception.
You could lose money if the company you’ve invested in goes bankrupt or if the share price falls for no particular reason.
So it’s essential to be aware of the risks involved and only invest what you can afford to lose.
Summary
By knowing and understanding these six things, you’ll be in a much better position to make informed decisions about whether or not to invest in foreign securities.
if you’re still unsure about anything, it’s always best to speak to an expert. Suppose you are a new investor and want more information on foreign securities and ETF trading.
In that case, we recommend contacting a reputable online broker from Saxo Bank and starting trading on a demo account today without investing any of your own money.